The Reverend James Erlandson and Kim Tann (Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, and residents of Maplewood, School District 622) sent this letter to the members of the 622 school board on 18 January 2008.
I am writing to urge you to vote NOT to leave the East Metro Integration District (6067) and for District 622 to remain in this district.
My wife (Kim Tann) and I have four children who have all attended Harambee (formerly TriDistrict) Elementary School). My wife is Asian American (Cambodian/Chinese) and I am Euro-American. Our children have had a great opportunity to explore community cultures in a year round integrated school. For our children to have this experience was our choice, and we're glad they had the opportunity.
Two of our children have now graduated with honors from North High School and now attend Minnesota private liberal arts colleges. One of our children now attends John Glenn Middle School, while our youngest is in her last year at Harambee. Their education at Harambee has prepared our children well to succeed in Middle School and High School, as well as college.
We wonder what is the reason that District 622 would consider leaving a successful partnership with other districts and a school that has succeeded in its mission? Is it a shortage of students in 622? Is it a lack of funds? If so, I hope the district will be honest and say so.
How would a new collaborative with school districts made up of a mostly white population help us in District 622 in our efforts to increase multicultural awareness and relationships, interracial student contact, and to help students of color in our district achieve success in our schools? I don't see how changing districts would bring any advantage to our children. Also, our district 622 is already full of children and crowded. Where would all the new students who are now attending Harambee attend school? Have you really thought this through? And why weren't families from Harambee represented on the task force?
What most surprises and disturbs me is the timing. Why did none of our parents in district 622 hear anything about this until we read in the newspaper that a vote was being taken this coming week? Why was no word given to the community until the week before that this was even being considered? What is the rush?
In any important public decision, there needs to be a public, transparent process. Not a quick decision done in secret. Why is there no truly public process, which includes parents and families affected, for input or information, or even communication about this issue and the upcoming decision? Why not hold a well-publicized public hearing if you really value public input? Or don't you really care about the people who elected you to serve? 30 minutes at Tuesday's school board meeting is not sufficient.
It is truly ironic that the day after the Martin Luther King Holiday, on January 22, our school board is considering a recommendation to end our collaboration with the East Metro Integration district, without public comment or input!
This is no way for public decision-making, and I urge you to reconsider the step you are about to take.